Category Archive

by Mage Some of you might not know this, but on Friday afternoons I work late, and during that time I get to spend a few hours with some of the older children. This is a time that I really look forward to, and I try to offer interesting activities during this time so that I can get really engaged … Read More

by Alisha For Heidi’s past couple of visits we have been learning a complicated music movement game. First we get into a circle and pick one person to be the “weary traveler”. Then we softly jingle our bells and shakers into the middle while the traveler walks around the outside of the circle. Then when the song says “blowing” we … Read More

by Alisha Katee taught us a song called “Hurry, Hurry.” Here are the lyrics- Hurry, Hurry Rabbit twitched his twitchety ears on a twinkling autumn day, He could hear the North Wind whistle and he scampered off to say: Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, we must all get fat and furry, Not a moment to be lost, I can hear old … Read More

by Mage In continuation of our light studies, the children are now using flashlights in the basement. I brought out the tunnel as well, as I wondered if there would be interesting interactions between children using the flashlights. Here are some photos of what that activity looked like.

by Megan This season we have been thinking about how we as a community can help others. Over the past couple of weeks we have collected food donations to give to The Oregon Food Bank. Food Bank We’ve left the donation box in the cubby room as sort of an invitation for inquiry. The children were very curious about why the food … Read More

by Alisha The past few weeks we have been learning to sing “It’s alright to cry” with Heidi. Here’s another version of the song performed by Rosey Grier released in 1972. I love that there is footage of adults crying. It’s important for us to be able to cry and important for children to know that adults cry, too! Carol … Read More

by Katee Today I brought in a new book to share with the children about spirals in nature. I often get compliments on my Fibonacci sequence earrings from the children and I’d also noticed some of the kids drawing spirals lately. So I found a book that I was excited to explore with them that is about just that. It … Read More

By Amber A couple years ago we had a group of children who were very interested in tea. I brought in a bunch of very fragile china tea cups to share with the children. I bought them second hand at goodwill for around .50 a piece. I bought the fanciest and most elegant looking cups I could find. I laughed … Read More

by Mage Body painting has become something of a tradition at Elm House for the youngest children. I offer this activity to all of the youngest children, and to some of the older children if they have interest. I usually make the children’s first paint experience at school one that involves their whole body. That means clothes come off, butcher … Read More

by Katee This month we have celebrated 2 friends turning 4! CL had a birthday on the 4th (her golden birthday!) and AA turned 4 today! Here’s a glimpse of their sweet little classroom celebrations: CL brought a special stuffed animal to share named ‘Rudolph’. She told us the story of her birth, detailing that dad caught her and got … Read More